Senate Resolution No. 2747

BY: Senator HANNON

COMMENDING Dr. Robert Feirsen upon the occasion of
his retirement after more than 12 years of dedicated
service to the Garden City School District on June
19, 2017

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have
been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the
young people of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Dr. Robert Feirsen upon the occasion of his retirement after
more than 12 years of distinguished service to the Garden City School
District, to be celebrated at a party held in his honor on Monday, June
19, 2017, at the Inn at New Hyde Park, New Hyde Park, New York; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Feirsen earned both his Bachelor of Arts and
Master of Arts degrees in History from the State University of New York
(SUNY) at Stony Brook; he furthered his education by obtaining his
Master of Science degree in Special Education and a Doctorate in
Education in Administration and Supervision from Fordham University, and
a professional diploma in Administration and Supervision from Queens
College; and

WHEREAS, For almost four decades, Dr. Robert Feirsen has served in
public education; he began his distinguished career as a teacher
specializing in social studies and special education; he then held
several leadership positions at various schools such as Assistant
Principal of H.C. Crittenden Middle School in Armonk, New York,
Principal of Gallow Elementary School in Levittown, New York, and
Principal of W.T. Clarke Middle School in East Meadow, New York; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Feirsen then assumed the titles of Deputy
Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and
Instruction of the Manhasset Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, On August 1, 2005, Dr. Robert Feirsen began serving as the
Garden City Superintendent of Schools, the position from which he will
officially retire in June of 2017; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Dr. Robert Feirsen developed an
elementary through high school multi-disciplinary research and writing
program to better prepare students for college and careers, initiated
district-wide STEM and STEAM initiatives focused on critical thinking
skills and collaborative learning to better prepare our students for
further education and careers in the 21st century, and introduced an

engineering sequence at the high school, and robotics clubs at both the
middle and high school; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Feirsen also expanded quality learning
opportunities for students across all levels of the ability spectrum to
challenge themselves and meet with success through academics, art and
music, athletics, leadership and community service; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, the school district and individual
public schools within the district have been consistently ranked among
the best in New York State and in the Nation by Newsweek, and U.S. News
& World Report; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Garden City High School was ranked the No. 1
high school on Long Island in 2016 by schooldigger.com, has been cited
as a Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction 10 times, and was named as
one of the "Best Communities for Music Education" by the NAMM Foundation
for five consecutive years as well as a Grammy Signature School
Semi-finalist five years in a row; and

WHEREAS, Through Dr. Robert Feirsen's tireless efforts, the Garden
City School District's 2009 Investment Bond and Energy Performance
contract brought $50 million of improvements to its facilities; he was
also instrumental in enhancing Garden City's local advocacy efforts
through chairmanship of the Board of Education's Legislative Affairs
Committee; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his stellar role in public education, Dr.
Robert Feirsen was an adjunct professor at Adelphi University, Stony
Brook University and Fordham University; he is also the co-author of
"How to Get the Teaching Job You Want", a guide to the job search
process in education; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his profession, Dr. Robert Feirsen is a
participant on numerous educational advisory boards, including the Long
Island Regional Advisory Council on Higher Education, the School of
Education Advisory Board of the New York Institute of Technology, the
Ruth Ammon School of Education Advisory Board of Adelphi University, and
the IDEA Reauthorization Advisory Board of the American Association of
School Administrators; and

WHEREAS, As the Director of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, Dr.
Robert Feirsen engaged in successful community outreach efforts
resulting not only in positive relations with the greater Garden City
residential, business and service communities, but also in increased
learning and service opportunities for students; and

WHEREAS, For more than 12 years, Dr. Robert Feirsen has been devoted
to the Garden City School District; his loyalty to the district and to
his staff is truly admirable; all who have had the privilege to work
with him through the years have known him to be an honest and
hard-working Teacher, Principal, and Administrator who always made the
needs and concerns of his students his top priority; and

WHEREAS, The driving force behind Dr. Robert Feirsen's commitment to
public education is his belief that all children have the potential to
do great things if given the opportunity; he prides himself on creating

an educational environment where students come first and expectations
are high; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Dr. Robert Feirsen upon the occasion of his retirement after
more than 12 years of dedicated service to the Garden City School
District, and to wish him continued success in all his future endeavors;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Robert Feirsen.